Toolkit

Here are a few tips to help you reach your fundraising goal!

FIRST THINGS FIRST

CREATE YOUR FUNDRAISING PAGE. Using the CrowdRise platform, build your fundraising homepage. Make your fundraising page compelling so your supporters feel they can’t leave without donating. Get personal with your story. Explain why you’re fundraising, and who benefits from your fundraising efforts. Add pictures and videos. The more well-rounded your page, the better it will perform!

If you need additional information about how to set up your CrowdRise Fundraising Page, take a look at the CrowdRise FAQ section.

GET STARTED

MAKE THE FIRST DONATION. After your fundraising page is set up, be the first to donate to your campaign. This initial donation sets the tone for your fundraiser. Your supporters will appreciate your initiative. Make sure it’s an amount your supporters will respond to.

“WHO DO YOU RIDE FOR?” Let people know who you are riding for. If you don’t have a personal tie to NAC participants, follow our upcoming “Who do you Ride For?” email series highlighting riders in our adaptive cycling program. Post these amazing stories on your fundraising page and share with your community.

We ride for CJ

We ride for Michael

We ride for Santi

GET ORGANIZED! Make a list of all social groups you’re a part of, both online and off: church groups, co-workers, family members, classmates etc.. Then, ask for their support. Your best supporters can come from unexpected places!

AIM EVEN HIGHER. We encourage everyone to set a fundraising goal of $150, but why not aim higher? Supporters like to be a part of something significant. Sending out an email when you hit 50% of your goal is super motivating and allows everyone to see how their donations are impacting your cause.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK! Ask, ask, and ask some more. Reach out to your whole network. Don’t eliminate anyone who might be willing to help you. Tell them about the National Ability Center, the Summit Challenge, and what motivates you to ride. Look at who has donated to your previous campaigns and encourage them to increase their donation by 25% or more.

BRING IT TO THE OFFICE. Ask your workplace for donations. Your company might be happy to donate to your Summit Challenge fundraising goal. See if your company has a matching gift program. Send out an e-mail to the entire company with a link to your CrowdRise page.

NEED HELP REACHING OUT? Use social networks like Facebook and Instagram to ask your friends and family for support. Social media savvy? Spread the word with #RideSummit #IRideFor. Let them know what riding the Summit Challenge means to you and keep your supporters posted on your fundraising and training goals. Prefer email? Send out an email request using our existing template. If you have a tie to the NAC, share your own story.

PERSONALIZE

GET CREATIVE. Go beyond just asking for donations; make it fun! Have a cook-off or a yard sale, arrange a cornhole tournament or host your very own backyard campaign fundraiser. You can even organize a sports game and set a theme. People are more likely to remember a baseball game if the teams are dressed in cycling jerseys and helmets rather than regular uniforms.

REWARDS. Give your donors an unconventional reward for their donation. Take a photo on the ride holding a sign with the top donor’s photo or commit to riding in an outfit of their choice.

THANK YOUR DONORS. Let your supporters know how much you appreciate their donation to both you and the National Ability Center. Tell them what you enjoyed about the ride or share a story of your experience.